Table for invalids



UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

STEPHEN USTICK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. f

TABLE FOR INVALIDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 48,8511, dated July 18, 1865.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that l, STEPHEN Us'rlcK, of the 'l city and county of Philadelphia, and State of eration of the same, reference beinghad to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specitication, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table C and parts attached to the same. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the table in connection with a bedstead. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the table at the red line a b ot' Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the movable rest H. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pen-rack I. Fig.6 is aperspective view of the match-safe D. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the book-rest R. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the wash-bowl board N. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the show-frame O and apron P. A Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the adjustable foot-pieces b.

Like letters in all the gures represent the same parts.

The nature of my invention consists of a portable table apparatus for invalid bedsteads, adapted to various uses, recreations, and am usemeuts of adults and children while in bed.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A A represent the foot-posts, and B B the side rails, of a bedstead.

C is a portable table, which, whenin usc,is placed transversely with the bedstead, and at a convenient distance from the head of the same. At other times it may be moved to the foot or entirely from it. The table and several devices which are used in connection with it are represented in Fig. 1. Otherdevices are shown in the other figures. The height of the table is graduated to suit different sizes of persons by means of the adjustable foot-pieces b in the mortises c ofthe legs a, there beingholes d in the foot-pieces, as seen in Fig. 10, which fit on the pins d which pass through the mortises, the holes d varying in distance from the edges b', b, b', and 12" for that purpose. There may also be a plurality of holes at dif-= ferent heights in the legs a for the accomplishment ofthe 'same end.

For ordinary use the top of the table may be in a single piece, but to make it subserve all the uses for which I design it I usually constrnctit with several principal compartments, l 2 3, which occupy the greater portion of its length, and minor compartments 4, 5, 6, and 7 at the ends, the former containing cases l', 2, and 3-being ladies work, writing, and

dressing cases-of equal dimensions, so as to l be susceptible of transposition when required. These compartments have covers l, 2, and 3". The compartments 4, 5,6, and 7 may be used severally for holding an inkstand, lamp, &;c. In one of these compartments there is a match-safe, D, which may be placed in either, as convenience may require. I usually construct the safe of a block of wood, with a few holes, e, each only large enough to hold a single match, to prevent accidents. Ou the under side of the cover 2" I confine a Writing-pad or portfolio, E, and in like manner a lookingglass, E', on 3, each of Which is reversed and held in position in the manner I Will hereinafter describe.

For the purposes I will presently specify I construct the sides of the table C .with longitudinal guides or ways F F, of any suitable forni, although I prefer the dovetail form as represented in the drawings. The several devices which are combined with the said Ways have corresponding female dovetails, and are movable by means thereof to any part of the table, as occasion may require, or they may be removed therefrom.

G is a sliding box connectedin that manner with the table for the reception of such things as it might he unsafe to set flat on the same.

H is a movable rest to support the reversible .covers 2" and 3 when desired to be placed on an angle. It has adjusting-screws f f for varying the angle of the covers. The cover 2 is represented in its reversed and angular position for Writing in Fig. 17 the lower front corner resting in a V-groove in the top of the front railof the table-frame.

I is a pen-rack, which has a dovetail groove,

g, as seen in Fig. 5, that fits on one of the ways F, and verticai holes g for holding pens and pencils.

J is a pin-cushion on the dovetailed block 71I connected with the front guide-strip F.

AK is a small vise or pair of clamps for holding anylight article to be Worked.

L is a screen, whose stem fi turnsin a hole in the swivel-blockj, which is connected by means of the screw 7a with the dovetailed block l on thesaid guide-strip. The screen thus constructed and arranged may, as Will readily appear, be placed at any part of the table required,or at any suitable height to screen the eyes of the patient who may be lying down or sitting up in bed.

M is a rack for holding a newspaper or other article to beread. It isformed-ot` the uprights m m,and one or more cords, m. The uprights m have dovetails a on their lower ends, which have an easy it between corresponding strips, a', on the end rails of the table, so that the said uprights may be removed when required. Rigid bars or rods may be used instead ot' the cords. There are clamps o o for holding the upper` edge ot' the paper securely7 tothe cord m.

N is a board, which is placed on the table when required to hold washing apparatus.

For the purpose of presenting pleasing pictures to small children, I construct the frame o, which is connected to the waysF F by means of the female dovctails, as seenin Fig. 9,there being an endless apron, P, on rollers whose journals q turn in the uprights i" r. Attached to one end of the shaft of the upper roller there is a crank, Q, for` giving motion to the apron.

It desired7 the roller may be actuated by means of a weight or spring, so as to keep the apron in motion a considerable length ot' time without an attendant. I print thepictures on the apron, or else attach them in any convenient manner. so that they may be removed to make place for other pictures. The device may at times when not required on the table C be used on an ordinary table.

There is a book-support, It, (represented in Fig. 7 Aand shown by red lines in Fig.3,) which is placed at any desirable angle, with its flat surface at the top edge resting against the front corner ofthe table C, the openings s s in its lower edge resting on the pins t, which are adjustable to different heights by means of the holes u in the front legs ot' the table, which, as represented in the drawings, project out from the frame for that purpose.

Having thus fully described the construction and operation of my table and apparatus for invalids, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. Thecombination of the foot-pieces b with the legs a of the table C, when constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described.

2. Combining and arranging the cord m and clamps o 0 with the table C by means of the uprightsm m, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. Combining the lougitndil'ial guides or ways F F with the table C, substantially in the manner and for the purposes above described.

Il. The combination and arrangement ofthe box G, rest H, pen-rack I, pin-cushion J, clamps K, and screen L with the table C by means ot'thelongitudinal guides or ways FF, substantially in the manner described, and for the purposes specified.

5. Combining and arranging the endless apron I with the table C by means of the frame C and guides F F, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that the above is my invention I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 22d day ot' March, 1865.

STEPHEN USTICK.

Witnesses WM. H. HELMBoLD, J AMEs McCAHoN. 

